Wimbledon 2016: Simona Halep survives scare to earn narrow win over American hope Madison Keys
Romanian fumbled the first set on Court One but recovered to progress at to quarter-finals at All England Club
SIMONA HALEP is ready to kick the reigning Aussie Open champ to the Kerb tomorrow.
No5 seed Halep takes on Angelique Kerber, who triumphed in Melbourne earlier this year, in the last eight after seeing off Madison Keys 6-7 6-4 6-3.
Halep had breast reduction surgery to prevent back pain when playing tennis
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The Romanian, 24, said: “I know Angelique very well. I played many times against her. Last match was on clay, so it's going to be different.
“I'm confident. I have to be. I am playing well. I am into the tournament already, so I had tough matches before. I'm looking forward to play against her, and I know it's going to be tough.
Halep will play Australian Open champ Angelique Kerber next
“She had a good year so far. I'm trying just to enjoy the moment, just to take it like it is.”
Things would have been a lot more comfortable for Halep against Keys had she not blown FOUR set points in the opening set at 5-4.
Keys looked to be in control of the clash which pitted the two youngest players left in the women’s draw when she edged a tie-break and then went 2-0 up in the second.
But 2014 semi-finalist broke straight back and broke again at 5-4 as Keys cracked a forehand into the net.
Keys, 21, then handed the impetus to her older opponent when she laid down a double fault early in the decider to go a break down and could never recover.